What Does the Soo Theatre Mean to You?

By Karen Hughes Beacom



HAUNTED THEATRE ENTERTAINS CROWDS
Pickford middle school student Sydney Smith finishes volleyball practice after school with excitement for what is to come on her Friday night. Sydney eagerly anticipates attending the Soo Theatre’s Haunted Theatre as part of the downtown trick-or-treating event. Having attended in 2012, Sydney, along with hundreds of other visitors, made sure that this event made it on her list of Halloween fun. Sydney has taken part in the summer camps at the SooT heatre offered at the PAL Center in Pickford, as well as having worked backstage during the opera productions. The theatre has meant many different things to this young lady; the annual Haunted Theatre being a favorite!

DONOR WALL ERECTED IN MAIN LOBBY
The Soo Theatre has meant many things to Colleen and Bernie Arbic over the past ten years. Having served on the Board of Directors since its inception in 2003, Colleen currently serves as Board President. Colleen presented the “Wall of Donors” earlier this month to recognize those who have given financially to support the Soo Theatre programs over the past ten years. Beautifully designed by local artist Bill Gerrish, patrons will have the opportunity to acknowledge those who have been a part of the Soo Theatre legacy. The Soo Theatre has meant many different things to the Arbics over the past ten years. “When I first started working on behalf of the Soo Theatre Project, it was all about saving a historic building. Once we got going with arts education and performance, it was about the people — the fabulous artists we work with and the kids who are learning and enjoying the arts. I love to see the little girls twirling around in their dance outfits and the little ones playing a violin that is only a foot long! That’s what keeps me volunteering many hours every week.” Colleen has dedicated the past ten years to leaving a legacy for the community and thanks YOU, our donors and volunteers, for being a part of that legacy.

HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
What do the holiday at the Soo Theatre mean to Louise Francis, Business Manager at the Soo Theatre & STARS, Anna Bonacci Slater, Associate Broker at Century 21, Stephanie Sabatine, Real Estate Appraiser, and Julia Gervasio, Financial Specialist, as December rolls around in Sault Ste. Marie? It means the “Holiday Tour of Homes and Tea.” This tradition has become an annual “girls day out” for this group of friends as well as a chance to enjoy the beautiful homes all decked out for the holiday season. This year’s tour will include the home of the President of Lake Superior State University along with other gems. The holiday tea will be held at the Crow’s Nest on our fine LSSU campus after touring the homes. What do you like to do to step away from the hustle and bustle of your holiday preparations? This just might be something to add to your holiday traditions?

HOLIDAY CONCERT AT LSSU
To me the Soo Theatre means so many things, but at this time of year, it is definitely the MUSIC. Our theatre community will come together once again with Lake Superior State University to celebrate the sounds of the season in a Holiday Concert. Featuring the vocal talents of the LSSU Chorus and the sounds of the Soo Theatre Orchestras and Flute Choir, our musical community will celebrate the season with this holiday performance. For me, hearing the “Hallelujah” Chorus live means that the Christmas season has finally arrived. Might this be true for you too? Bring your MESSIAH score to the Arts Center at LSSU on December 7 and sing along with us. Or simply sit back and relax and enjoy the sounds of the season.

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What does the Soo Theatre mean to you? Let us know. We’d love to hear from you. For more information on any of these upcoming events, contact (906) 632-1930 or visit www.sootheatre.org.


A version of this article was originally published in the Soo Evening News on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013.